Winx Sets Sights on Fourth Chipping Norton Victory

Magic Bloodstock Racing, R.G. Treweeke, and Mrs. D.N. Kepitis’ Winx will aim to land a fourth-straight victory in the March 2 Chipping Norton Stakes (G1) at Royal Randwick.

No stranger to repeat victories, the now 8-year-old daughter of the late Street Cry claimed her 30th successive win just last week in the Feb. 16 Star Apollo Stakes (G2), beating the gallant Happy Clapper—a son of Teofilo and winner of last season’s TAB Epsom Handicap (G1) and The Star Doncaster Mile (G1).

California Chrome
The superstar and three-time champion made history in 2018 when she scored a record fourth Ladbrokes Cox Plate (G1) victory Oct. 27, a win that cemented her legacy in the annals of Thoroughbred racing history. Running undefeated since her winning streak began on May 16, 2015, 22 of Winx’s 30 consecutive victories have been at the group 1 level.

“What you see is what you get with her. She is just a class act,” the mare’s trainer, Chris Waller, told ANZ Bloodstock News. “People are understanding how hard it is to win 30 in a row. You don’t do it by being the best horse on one day, but by being the best over three or four years. She has overcome track conditions, barrier draws, slow starts, wide runs you name it—that’s Winx.”

Winx currently holds the world record for group 1 wins, eclipsing the previous record of 16 set by John Henry in 1984. Her Aug. 18 score at Randwick in the Winx Stakes (G1), named in her honor, surpassed the record of consecutive victories held by fellow champion race mare, Black Caviar, who was unbeaten in 25 starts between 2009 and 2013.

According to ANZ Bloodstock News, Happy Clapper will also return in the 1,600-meter (about one-mile) Chipping Norton Stakes. The 8-year-old, who finished runner-up to Winx for the fourth time in the Apollo Stakes, has been installed as the second-choice with Winx the even money favorite. The plan is to use the Apollo as a prep for next month’s AU$5 million All-Star Mile at Flemington Racecourse.

“He came through the Apollo Stakes well and hopefully he can run second to Winx again,” trainer Pat Webster told ANZ. “He can’t beat her on what she showed in the Apollo. If he runs second he is on target for other races, including the All-Star Mile.”